Donald Trump has been found guilty of falsifying business records to cover up an affair with a porn star, making him the first former US president in history to be criminally convicted.
With less than six months before his election rematch against Joe Biden, Trump now faces the prospect of jail, probation, or other restrictions set by the judge after a jury of 12 New Yorkers found he was part of a hush money scheme to influence the 2016 election that catapulted him to the White House.
Former President Donald Trump sits in Manhattan criminal court.Credit: AP
The 77-year old Republican watched with a frowned expression as the verdict was handed down, in a decision that will reshape the 2024 race and further fracture an already divided nation.
“There was no fraud, there was no conspiracy,” Trump said before heading into the court on Thursday morning. “This is a very sad day for America. The whole world is watching.”
The 12-member jury announced it had found Trump guilty on all 34 counts he faced. Unanimity was required for any verdict.
Trump has already foreshadowed a lengthy appeal in the courts, and will continue to use the trial to fundraise and fire up his base as he campaigns to return to power.
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